Wenger Thankful for One More Senior Day
Thursday, November 24, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The image of Dan Wenger's season that resonates most is perhaps a photo of him alone on the Gators' bench following their loss at Auburn in mid-October.
In his right hand, Wenger is holding a pair of crutches after suffering an ankle injury. Wenger's head is bowed as he rubs his closed eyes with his left hand. The moment captured by a photographer's lens is one of deflation and defeat, a poignant shot on an otherwise forgettable night for Florida.
Still, the memorable photo is only one small page in the latest chapter of Wenger's unusual college football career.
A reporter asked Wenger earlier this week if Saturday's regular-season finale against Florida State will be Wenger's second Senior Day.
“Third, actually,'' Wenger replied.
The sixth-year senior offensive line participated in two Senior Day ceremonies at Notre Dame, where his career was twice interrupted by serious injuries – the first a wrist injury that forced him to redshirt, and then lingering symptoms from a concussion that caused him to miss the entire 2010 season with the Fighting Irish.
Wenger could have easily called it a career and focused on grad school and possibly becoming a coach, a long-term goal he has mentioned.
Instead, he petitioned the NCAA for a rare sixth year of eligibility. The NCAA approved Wenger's request and he found a home back in the state where he grew up by joining former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis and his position coach for a season, Frank Verducci, with the Gators.
Wenger, who once played alongside former Gator Marcus Gilbert and Sam Young of the Dallas Cowboys on the same line at St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, has started 10 games and provided an experienced anchor on a young offensive line that has struggled at times in Will Muschamp's first season.
His final season – it's for real this time – has been more than he could have asked for when he first showed an interest in joining the Gators.
“It's been amazing,'' Wenger said. “It's been a lot of fun regardless of the ups and downs we've had. I couldn't be more thankful and blessed than for the opportunity that I had to play here.”
Wenger didn't join the Gators until the summer and few knew what – if any – role he would have on the team. Some figured he might be nothing more than a cheerleader or serve as an extra coach for the younger players since he had experience in Weis' pro-style offense and understood the techniques taught by Verducci.
“You want to talk about a bonus,'' Weis said earlier this season. “You can't buy things like that.''
Wenger proved to be anything other than an extra set of walking shoulder pads.
He earned the starting job at left guard in fall camp and quickly took on the role as one of the team's leaders. It was often Wenger and a couple of other players who met with the media during some of the more difficult moments in Florida's 6-5 season.
One of Muschamp's favorite quotes is that “leaders don't have bad days'' and Wenger has filled that role capably.
“I think he is a guy that has bonded very easily and quickly with our players,'' Muschamp said. “He's shown maturity and knowledge of the system and what was expected. I think he has been a very valuable member for us. He's in graduate school right now doing very well.
“He's a really good people person.”
Wenger's ability to communicate and adapt quickly have helped him make a seamless transition. He has played a key role in line calls and helped quarterback John Brantley read protections in Weis' offense.
Other than for the ankle injury that forced him to miss the Furman game – he is expected to be back in the starting lineup Saturday against FSU – the 23-year-old Wenger has been healthy. The concussion issues he battled in the past have not been a factor.
Wenger's appreciative of his second chance at football – and third chance at Senior Day.
“I know how it goes, just another uniform and new staff,” Wenger quipped Tuesday. “We're talking to the NCAA about a seventh [year of eligibility], but I don't know how likely that is. It's pretty emotional for me and my family; this is truly going to be it.”
While the Gators got an unexpected team leader and experienced voice in Wenger, he got to play for his old coaches – Weis and Verducci – while learning from a new one in Muschamp.
The experience is one he won't soon forget thanks to his coaches and teammates – most of whom he didn't know just a few months ago.
“I love the character behind Coach Muschamp,” Wenger said. “There's going to be a tough transition out of football, but one thing that will make it easier is knowing that I played for a great coach, a great head coach and great assistant coaches that wanted all the same things I did in a team.”
